Ofcom, the UK’s telecoms regulator, is to make the currently unallocated 32GHz spectrum available to provide fixed wireless access (FWA) services. A new consultation paper, ‘Widening spectrum access for fixed links in the 32GHz band’, highlights that a national block of 2 x 126MHz spectrum in the 32GHz band was returned to Ofcom in April. The regulator is now proposing to make this unallocated spectrum – 32.445-32.571GHz combined with 33.257-33.383GHz – available for 0links “on an Ofcom-managed basis”.
FWA is an alternative fixed broadband access technology that uses wireless links, often using licensed 4G or 5G spectrum. The few downsides to FWA so far have been the lack of agreed international standards to govern the use of the technology, along with constraints on spectrum availability that result in concomitant restrictions on bandwidth per customer. Think of broadband as a digital highway: the more lanes there are, the faster traffic can flow. The new 32 GHz band is like adding a new road to transport large amounts of data over relatively short distances. This will improve data transmission capacity, making wireless connections faster and more reliable.
The consultation closes on 13 September
Ofcom’s consultation paper argues that its proposal will allow operators to increase their capacity to serve more consumers and businesses with improved services without detrimental effects on existing users of the 32GHz band “or other spectrum users”. The closing date for stakeholder responses is 13 September this year, with a decision to be published before the end of the year. It will be published at the same time as Ofcom’s decision on its previous proposals (from March this year) on spectrum surrendered in the 27.5-30GHz band.
The 32GHz spectrum was originally auctioned in 2008 on a national block-assigned basis and is currently used for point-to-point wireless data links. These are used by BT and MBNL (Mobile Broadband Network Ltd), the network-sharing joint venture jointly owned by EE operation of BT and Three UK. Managed services provider MLL Telecom also used the spectrum until recently but gave up its two blocks of spectrum in the 32GHz band four months ago. Ofcom noted that it was “not aware of any concrete evidence of demand for any other use in this spectrum” and so decided “that fixed links will continue to be the most likely and most valuable use in this band”.
Helping to bridge the digital divide
The new frequencies will allow for a higher volume of data traffic, improving the quality of services and supporting increasingly demanding applications. Fixed wireless links can reach remote areas or areas that are difficult to reach with fibre optics, helping to bridge the digital divide. Increased spectrum availability could stimulate competition between operators, leading to more competitive prices and more advantageous consumer offers.
The 32 GHz frequencies offer high bandwidth and are particularly suitable for short-range transmissions. However, their deployment is limited by sensitivity to interference and atmospheric conditions. For this reason, Ofcom has decided to limit the use of this band to fixed links, which are less susceptible to these problems. Ofcom’s decision represents an important step forward for developing network infrastructure in the United Kingdom. The allocation of the 32 GHz band will help improve connectivity in many areas of the country and support the growth of the digital economy.
